Konrad wrote:
Mark,
for what it's worth, in Anonymous of 379's fixed star treatise, Algol is listed under the stars with a Jupiter and Saturn nature. These are the stars associated with wealth, agriculture and building. From my own observations, Algol in particular can signify wealth that is unsteady or prone to disappearing suddenly.
Yes I have the text. Surprisingly Ptolemy fails to mention the star of the Gorgon's head specifically in his descripption of fixed stars and their planetary nature in the Tetrabiblos. Instead Ptolemy just mentions all the stars in the constellation of Perseus as having the nature of Jupiter and Saturn. It therefore looks as though Anonymous of 379 is following that tradition. Interestingly, the English 17th century astrologer William Lilly challenges this idea no doubt due to the widespread and overwhelmingly malevolent reputation the star had acquired. Hence Lilly proposes that in his experience the planetary nature of the star is more appropriately likened to that of Saturn and Mars.
Considering the totally malefic reputation of the star in medieval and renaissance times its Jupiter-Saturn nature can seem a paradox. But its seen as a very powerful star that can make those associated with very difficult to defeat or overcome. Indeed it was claimed those with star prominently placed were almost unbeatable in battle.
Some natal examples that come to mind are Mark Spitz ,OJ Simpson, Pope Jon Paul II and Sean Connery.
Mark Spitz is the champion American swimmer who won 5 gold medals in the 1972 Munich Olympics. Spitz has the star Algol culminating overhead at the time of his birth.
A good example of Algol in a more negative context is the chart of OJ Simpson. OJ Simpson had Algol exactly co-culminating on his MC in his chart. Both as an American football hero and later by successfully defending himself against a murder charge he overcame his opponents even though many people still believe he was guilty of the charge. He seems to have been assisted by a combination of a televised Media circus and the low credibility of the California Police evidence amongst a majority Black jury.
Another interesting example is the late Pope John Paul II who had Algol linked prominently in his chart by paran. He successfully overcome opposition whether from the the Communist authorities in Poland or the more reformist forces within the church.
Scottish actor Sean Connery has Algol anti-culminating in his chart. Traditionally this links to both our roots and our legacy after death. Quite appropriate as most people probably still associate Connery with his most famous role as the first James Bond. The fictional Bond character seems to fit the Algol symbolism perfectly with his indestructable ability to survive any danger and then go on to defeat any threat. His ruthless methods and 'licence to kill' fit the symbolism too.
The Ancient Egyptian idea of a dimming or 'blinking' Algol being more malefic seems to continue into Arabic culture. According to Ebertin and Hoffman in their book
Fixed Stars and their Interpretation, (1971), Dr Lomer in Kosmobiologie comments that Arabic commanders ensured that no important battle began when the light of Algol was weak.
For those looking for more on Algol and astrology here are three excellent articles. The first by Nick Kollerstrom, the second by the late Diana Rosenberg and the last a general piece on the constellation of Perseus by Deborah Houlding:
http://www.skyscript.co.uk/algol.html
http://ye-stars.com/WP/medusas-head
http://www.skyscript.co.uk/perseus.html
Mark